Report: West Ham set to re-kindle interest in Dynamo Moscow's Douglas

According to talkSPORT, West Ham are ready to rekindle their long-standing interest in Dynamo Moscow defender Douglas.

Sources in Italy suggest the Hammers, alongside Galatasaray, are the front-runners to sign the 27-year-old this summer. West Ham were keen on Douglas back in 2013 when he was at FC Twente but he opted for a move to Dynamo Moscow instead.

He has racked up 43 league outings, scoring three goals, since his arrival in Russia but has been heavily linked with a move away this summer.

With 20 league starts in his first season and 19 over the last year for Dynamo Moscow, he has never really been able to cement a permanent place in the Moscow outfit's starting eleven - and talkSPORT suggest West Ham are ready to pounce.

Where would he fit in at Upton Park?

The 27-year-old has proven quality at centre-back, with his tackling ability, aerial prowess and passing considered his main strengths. He possesses no significant weaknesses and would therefore be an astute addition to Slaven Bilic's side.

The 6ft 3 central defender was first choice for newly-appointed Newcastle boss Steve McClaren when the Dutch outfit lifted the Eredivisie title in the 2009/10 season, which suggests his capability when given regular first-team action.

With West Ham anticipating a bumper calendar, with the addition of Europa League football, Bilic will anxious for depth in each position. But have the east London side already got enough centre-backs...?

Chris Linnell

Chris is a freelance football writer from Wiltshire, England. He is currently studying Modern History and Politics at the University of Liverpool. He has written for various other sites, including the Boot Room and Bleacher Report. His work has also featured on Eurosport.